It's tough times for the Indian cricket team as they try to bounce back in the three-match ODI series against a refreshed New Zealand in the must-win second game due on Wednesday. Not many expected the Kiwis to topple India in the series-opener at the Wankhede, however the visitors did so in brilliantly. A record-breaking 200-run stand from Ross Taylor and Tom Latham got the better of the hosts as it put New Zealand on the cusp of a rare series win in India.
The way both the gentlemen played spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav was praiseworthy, especially considering that Auzzies struggled against the same combination in the preceding series. The Indian team lacked lustre as captain Virat Kohli led from the front with his 31st ODI ton but failed to find support from his team. The usually dangerous opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma fell to the swing and accuracy of Trent Boult. They will now have to find a way to negotiate the left-arm pacer early on in their innings. Kohli, who stuck a memorable hundred in his 200th ODIm would like to continue from where he left off. The number four spot remains a concern for team management with 11 batsmen being tried at the position.
Kedar Jadhav batted at four on Sunday, miserably failing to do the job, Dinesh Karthik batted at five, and played a decent knock in his comeback game. He is expected to make the playing elevenm putting Manish Pandey in a fringe. On the bowling front, Chahal and Yadav's spin duo who gave away 125 runs and managed a lone wicket will be keen to make amends. Skipper Kohli's 121 helped India score 280 for the loss of eight wickets, in spite of the home team losing wickets periodically. In reply, New Zealand lost their first three batsmen for a score of 80.
The Pune pitch was a belter when India played England and another run feast is expected on Wednesday.
Squads:
India: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shardul Thakur.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, George Worker and Ish Sodhi.
